Copilot~ Rooster (Top Gun: Maverick FanFic)

chapter 2

May 1st

Our first day back at Top Gun. We're all sitting in our seats. Reaper is beside me, Bradley's sitting behind me, Phoenix and Bob in front of me.

The Admiral walks in. "Attention on deck." he says as we all stand up. "Good morning. Welcome to your special detachment. I'm Admiral Bates. You are all top of your class, Top Gun graduates.  Best of the best. New fifth gen fighter jets level our playing field. We have little detail and don't have the technology advantages anymore. It comes down to the man or women in the box."

Bates continues, "half of you will make the cut. only one will be team leader." Hangman looks around, then smirks at me and Rooster. I laugh at him thinking he'll be team leader. Admiral Bates catches on.

"Lieutenant Mitchell, you think you're a good pilot?" I sit up in my chair and pull down my sunglasses. "Sir, all due respect, isn't that why I'm here?." I begin to return the cockiness to Hangman.

"And we also know who's blood is running through my veins." I sat back and pushed my aviators back up on my nose. Then looked over at Hangman and smiled. Bradley grinning at me starting to intimidate Hangman. Admiral smiled and nodded at me, continuing.

"Your instructor is a Top Gun graduate and has real life experience with any scenario you will be expected to learn and master. He is legendary. What he will teach you could be life or death."

Bradley leans up to me and whispers, "who is this supposed to be?" I give him a look of concern. Then I see him.

"I give you Captain Pete Mitchell. Call sign: Maverick." the admiral finishes. "Oh. my. god." I whisper with wide eyes and a smile on my face. My suspicion was right.

Hangman, Payback, and Coyote rub their faces realizing he had thrown him out of the bar the night before. Maverick gets up to the stand and catches my eyes. He stares at me with a shocked expression. Bradley sees this.

He starts his talk with asking if we know the F-18 handbook inside and out. We all stated we did and he threw the book in the trash. "So does your enemy. They don't know your limits. And I intend to test you and push you beyond them." This should be fun.

Standing up from our tables, we head to suit up. Me and Maverick make eye contact. He starts with walk towards me but I mouth to him "later." He nods. I give him a smile and a two finger salut. He laughs at me and does it back.

As me, Bradley, and Riley make our ways to our aircrafts, Maverick calls for Bradley. "Rooster" he calls. he keeps walking. "Bradley" he says again but he still ignores him. "Lieutenant Bradshaw."

He finally stops and turns to him. I stop with him but tell Riley to head to our plane. "Yes, sir?" Bradley responds, acting as if he doesn't know what this is about.

"Let's not do this." Mav says. "You gonna wash me out?" Bradley snaps back. "That'll be up to you not me." "Am I dismissed ?" He nods and we continued walking.

I give my dad a smile before joining Bradley in walking.

Once we reach our planes I give him a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck Bradshaw" I tell him. He smiles, "Good luck princess."

He gives me butterflies.

~~~~~~

"Good morning aviators, this is your captain speaking." Mav says over the comms. " welcome to basic fighting maneuvers. As instructed today's exercise is dogfighting. Guns only, no missiles, and do not go below the hard deck of 5000 feet."